Rose laments poor decisions on the ball after loss: "Leverkusen showed us how it's done."
Moods in the respective Leipzig and Leverkusen camps were understandably polar opposites following last night's thrilling 3-2 victory for Xabi Alonso's German title contenders. Leverkusen completed the double over their supposed fellow title aspirants with their second 3-2 win of the season.
Two Werkself actors who got their names on the scoresheet - Jonathan Tah and Jonas Hofmann - had plenty of unbridled joy to express. Bayer sporting director Simon Rolfes spook of a "stubborn and resilient side".
Over on the Saxon end, RB trainer Marco Rose was left to lament his team's second consecutive strong performance that nevertheless resulted in zero points gained. Rose had some specific critiques when reflecting on the path forward.
Two Werkself actors who got their names on the scoresheet - Jonathan Tah and Jonas Hofmann - had plenty of unbridled joy to express. Bayer sporting director Simon Rolfes spook of a "stubborn and resilient side".
Over on the Saxon end, RB trainer Marco Rose was left to lament his team's second consecutive strong performance that nevertheless resulted in zero points gained. Rose had some specific critiques when reflecting on the path forward.
"If it were up to me, we wouldn't be needing late goals," Hofmann told his interviewer, "Though I wouldn't mind if we win a few more games like that. We struggled. Our opponents made it tough. One had the feeling, after the first half, that a point would be okay. In the end, we deserved to win because of what we showed in the second half."
Hofmann's teammate Tah - left out of the starting XI last week due to his head coach's fears that he might incur suspension ahead of this match - maintained significantly more energy and excitement. Tah scored a vital equalizer in last night's win shortly after Leipzig had re-taken the lead. The resurgent German national team defender headed home Hofmann's corner in the 63rd. His fourth league goal of the season couldn't have come at a better time.
"We did very well as a team in the second half," an elated Tah noted in his interview, "We have the mentality, team spirit, and the drive to never give up on a game. We never lose our belief. That's what sets us apart. What a great start to the second half of the season!"
B04 sporting director Simon Rolfes too kept up an euphoric mien when conducting his post-match interview. The club sporting executive spoke of a team "stubborn and resilient as a piece of wood". Over in the RB camp, matters were obviously quite different. Head-coach Marco Rose's energy levels were much more subdued even though he spoke of being "annoyed" and "pissed off" at the result.
"It was a great football match overall," Rose said, "but too much dominance from Bayer Leverkusen meant that it was a deserved win for them. We made good decisions on the ball in the first half. In the end, we only did so in brief spurts however."
"It's tough to constantly run against Leverkusen up the pitch," Rose continued, "because they can get into a flow, are extremely playful, and form a lot of short triangles. Against Bayer, it's important that you make good decisions when you win the ball."
"We have to get better at that," Rose concluded, "Leverkusen showed us how it's done. It's a bad feeling to have lost twice in a row. Another shitty night and unpleasant morning awaits us. We have to remember how it hurts. A good game of football, but we got nothing for it."